Rome commands. The Giallorossi clear Florence and take the top of the standings at the expense of the Viola, now two points behind. Together with them, in the big group of pursuers, also Inter, Napoli and Lazio, demonstrating how beautiful and balanced this Serie A is. But the Monday cover, as it should be, takes it by right Roma, capable to clear the Franchi bank giving a demonstration of strength and authority. Garcia's men are serious, on the other hand with all that quality it would be strange otherwise.
“And to think that, until recently, they told us we were scarce – commented the Frenchman. – I'm very happy for the team, we came to Florence to take first place, I saw the right attitude. We also conceded little from a defensive point of view, the boys were fantastic." Indeed, compared to the follies of Leverkusen, last night we saw a much more "on point" Rome.
Compared to what was thought on the eve, Garcia has chosen to focus on the highly contested Salah and the move has proved to be perfectly timed. In fact, the Egyptian only took 6 minutes to silence the Franks: an exchange with Pjanic and a left-footed shot on which Tatarusanu was unable to do anything. Rome therefore forward, with the consequent imbalance of Fiorentina. And since the Giallorossi can be devastating in the spaces, Gervinho's double arrived in the 34th minute, launched into the open field by Florenzi and cold enough to beat the Viola goalkeeper again.
In the second half, despite the Viola siege, Garcia's team could have scored again: they didn't and so the match remained open until the end. But the Viola, in their third consecutive defeat between the championship and the Europa League, were unable to realize the many chances they had: Babacar's goal only came in the 94th minute, moreover after Roma were down to 10 players due to Salah's expulsion ( 87').
If Rome also enjoys Lazio, they have something to smile about. The biancocelesti beat Torino with a bombastic 3-0, confirming themselves as a ruthless team within the friendly walls of the Olimpico. With yesterday's home victories in the season are 8, 5 in the league, 2 in the Europa League and 1 in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round. Important numbers, which if supplemented by a few more points away (only one win in Verona, then 3 defeats) could really lead to the top.
“I don't look at the standings, it's too early – Pioli glossed over. – Imagine if I think about the Scudetto, there are teams much better equipped than us like Juve, Naples and Rome. Having said that, we will always try to win, starting with Bergamo”. The coach's ambitions are legitimate, on the other hand Lazio are in good shape and with the full squad they have no reason to fear anyone. Against Turin it was supposed to be a tricky match, especially after the European struggles on Thursday, instead the biancocelesti won, indeed swept it, without any particular problems.
In the 40th minute, after a somewhat blocked first half, the game-breaking goal: Klose's side and Lulic's dirty right foot to mock the guilty Padelli. In the second half, Felipe Anderson took the chair. The Brazilian, former executioner of Toro last season, first doubled with a soft right foot on an assist from the usual Klose, then tripled with a stone from outside when time was practically up.
In short, the Capital can smile and think with optimism about the midweek championship. Roma will host Udinese at the Olimpico stadium, Lazio will visit the former Reja's Atalanta. All this from the top of the rankings, a good news for those who have been dreaming of being right up there for years.
